http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/S...161201175.html

Former UNC President Bill Friday says Andy Griffith died this morning in Dare County. Friday, who is a close friend of the actor, confirmed that to WITN News.

Friday tells us the 86-year-old actor died at his Dare County home around 7:00 a.m. this morning.

Griffith attended UNC Chapel Hill where he earned a degree in Music. According to IMDb.com, Griffith was a regular on the Ed Sullivan show in the 1950's.

His legacy role, which earned him the title of "America's Favorite Sheriff"on "The Andy Griffith" show, set in fictional Mayberry, put North Carolina on the map in the entertainment industry. The show ran from 1960-1968, propelling a handful of spin-off programs. Griffith also produced and starred in the television series "Matlock."

Griffith received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 from President George W. Bush.

Griffith was born in Mount Airy.

I just saw this. RIP.

One of his recent roles I really liked was in Waitress.

Damn. Farewell, Ben Matlock.

Rip.

Crap. He was one of my favorites. Going to go watch an episode of The Andy Griffith Show and shed a tear now.

RIP to an American Treasure. Hallmark just happens to have a Matlock marathon planned for the 4th of July. Have to watch an episode or 2.

It is like having an old friend die.

I watched so many of his shows growing up and enjoyed them all. The laughter and good nature really did help me to have a better days.

Just could not be down after watch The Andy Griffith Show, family show that was funny. I was about Opies age when I first started watching the show and I was being raised by my father only, lots to relate to in the show.

Best wishes to his family and friends. I truly hope to see him in the next life.

Being a North Carolina native myself Andy holds a special place in my heart. Growing up watching the Andy Griffith show was a big part of my childhood. He was a second Dad for legions of people. My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.
The world is a little darker today.

to a legend.

A legend. So long, old friend.

Indeed. And living in Wilmington while Matlock was being filmed. RIP Andy, a true legend.

Very sad news. "The Andy Griffith Show" was one of the best sitcoms ever made. He will be missed.

TV Land will honor the life and work of beloved actor Andy Griffith, who passed away today at the age of 86,
with blocks of programming highlighting his most treasured work, “The Andy Griffith Show.”

On Wednesday, July 4th from 8 am to 1 pm ET/PT and Saturday and Sunday, July 7th and 8th from 11 am to
8 pm ET/PT, TV Land will air some of the most memorable episodes in marathons of “The Andy Griffith Show.”
The TV Land Facebook page will also pay tribute to Andy, celebrating some of his best TV moments.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Andy Griffith,” said Larry W. Jones, President, TV Land.
“His contributions to the entertainment industry and his role as Sheriff Andy Taylor will live forever in the minds and
hearts of generations of television viewers past, present and yet to come. The entire TV Land staff will miss him and
our thoughts go out to his family.”

http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/201...ytheNumbers%29

My mother was inconsolable this morning. This is a woman who has compared incidents in her everyday life to storylines from The Andy Griffith Show (and Matlock, for that matter) as far back as I can remember. She actually made me loathe what is an otherwise sweet and homespun sitcom by playing it non-stop and using it as the moral standard by which our entire family should live by.

Talked to her today and she told me "I've dreaded this day. It's like my world has ended." My dad even called from work to see how she was taking the news.

Barney is waiting for him at the fishing hole.

Agreed. RIP.

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He and Don Knotts were one of the best comedic duos in TV history. For such a vanilla show, it had some great laughs and great heart

Agree to all of the sentiments above. The Andy Griffith Show is an American institution - arguably the best TV sitcom (if not TV show period) ever.

RIP, Sheriff Taylor.

Kind of sad, but I first envisioned that scene in The Simpsons when Grampa Simpson was riding in a bus next to the ambulance that was carrying "Matlock" to the hospital since he swiped his pills.

RIP, Andy.

It just occurred to me that I am now older than Andy Griffith was when he first played Sheriff Andy Taylor.

Me-TV and Me-Too will be airing tributes to Andy starting today (July 4). Of special note, Me-TV will be showing the Andy Griffith Show pilot, which was an episode of Make Room for Daddy. That episode is available on a 50th anniversary 3-disc set, The Best of Mayberry.

http://metvnetwork.com/griffithlocal.php

Griffith also had some dramatic roles (aside from Matlock). Check out A Face in the Crowd and, if you can, the TV Movie, Pray for the Wildcats (which hasn't had a DVD release).

The football routine is from Andy's days as a stand-up comic (the illustrations, by George Woodbridge, from MAD Magazine). It's that country persona that likely got him the lead role in No Time for Sergeants, which probably was the template for Gomer Pyle.

I concur with "Face in the Crowd" and posted my thoughts on his performance http://www.film-matters.net/2012/07/...-th-crowd.html.

As for his television work, it's a testament to Andy for making such a wonderful show that remains endearing. But, most importantly, Andy was gracious as an actor, allowing many supporting players, like Don Knotts, to steal the limelight and become major movie stars.

As much as I love the show, I wouldn't want to purchase the entire series because I believe the show took a dip after Knotts left. But, the show ended at the number 1 status, nonetheless.

RIP